Changes to the U.S. Naturalization Process: Quick Facts

The USCIS has made changes to the naturalization process, including the expansion of the Naturalization Civics Test and the revival of the neighborhood checks policy. Below, we break down what this means. 

What did the test used to look like?: The 2008 version of the test entailed candidates being asked up to 10 questions, required to answer 6 correctly (“100,” n.d.). The test was not multiple choice and candidates responded orally. Candidates could access the 100 possible questions and answers for free online (“100,” n.d.).

What has changed for the 2025 version?: There are now 128 possible questions for this oral exam (“Study,” n.d.). Additionally, questions have shifted from facts about the United States’ governmental system and citizenship rights to questions about the reason and process behind such topics. For example, here are the two questions from the 2008 version regarding the Supreme Court:

“38. What is the highest court in the United States?” (“100,” n.d.).

“39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?” (“100,” n.d.).

The new test includes these questions, and also states the following:

“56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?” (“128,” n.d.).

The questions and answers for the 2025 version are available for free online at this link: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/2025-Civics-Test-128-Questions-and-Answers.pdf 

Who will be tested on the 2025 version questions?: All those who file their N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 will be tested according to the 2025 version (“Check,” n.d.).

Are there any exceptions to these changes?: The USCIS has outlined a 65/20 policy (“Study,” n.d.). This means those who are “65 years old or older and have been living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years” will be asked questions from a condensed list, marked (*) on the 2025 document (“Study,” n.d.; “128,” n.d.). The USCIS will continue to ask 10 questions for these applicants, with a passing score of 6 correct questions (“Study,” n.d.). 

Finally, what is a neighborhood check?: The USCIS also recently released a memo covering the resumption of neighborhood checks (“Resumption,” 2025). Neighborhood checks include investigation into one’s “place of residence and employment” (“Resumption,” 2025). According to CBS News, the policy has been in place but the government has waived them since 1991, instead relying on background checks and criminal records (Montoya-Galvez, 2025). However, this “general waiver” was “immediately terminated” following the memo’s release (“Resumption,” 2025; Montoya-Galvez, 2025). The decision of whether to conduct a neighborhood check will now be determined from testimonial letters from “neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates,” as stated in the memo (Montoya-Galvez, 2025, “Resumption,” 2025). The office can send a Request for Evidence if such documents if they are not originally included (“Resumption,” 2025). 

For further information on this topic, please reference our Works Cited.

Works Cited

Check for Test Updates. (n.d.). USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/check-for-test-updates 

100 Civics Questions and Answers for the 2008 Test with MP3 Audio (English Version) | USCIS. (n.d.). USCIS. www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/study-for-the-test/100-civics-questions-and-answers-with-mp3-audio-english-version. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version) | USCIS, (n.d.). USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/2025-Civics-Test-128-Questions-and-Answers.pdf. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025. 

Montoya-Galvez, Camilo. “U.S. to Resume ‘Neighborhood Checks’ for Citizenship Applications as Part of Trump Push to Heavily Vet Immigrants.” (2025, August 26). CBS News, CBS Interactive. www.cbsnews.com/news/neighborhood-checks-citizenship-applications/.  

“Resumption of Personal Investigations of Aliens Applying for Naturalization (INA 335(a)).” (2025, August 25) Policy Memorandum, USCIS. drive.google.com/file/d/1ICPxTygizvxoF7-ZsCp95W--xOXm6jfc/view.  

Study for the Test | USCIS. (n.d.). USCIS, www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/study-for-the-test.  Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.